For those of you who may not be familiar with Jiu Jitsu, the goal is as follows: Two opponents square up and begin a fight from a standing position. The objective is to use a throw, takedown, or energy redirection to get your opponent to the ground. Once on the ground, your objective is to assume a dominating stance and use a choke, leg lock, arm lock, or other joint manipulations to submit your opponent. You have to be careful not to give up and allow your opponent to take control and subjugate you. In order to end the fight without getting strangled out or suffering a broken or strained arm, leg, or joint, your opponent “taps out.” Doesn’t that sound like fun?

One thing I’ve discovered is really vital when learning Jiu Jitsu. The concept of “position before submission” has always been discussed and taught by my professors. This implies that before you can submit your opponent with a choke, arm lock, or hold, you must first position yourself correctly. Prior to doing that, you have to make sure you are not in any unsafe situations where you could end up getting subjugated. Hence, one must consider staying out of harm’s way before assuming a dominant position that enables one to submit their opponent. This is known as “position before submission.”

Many times in Jiu Jitsu, I have shot straight in for a submission and was not in the correct position to do so properly. Because of this hastiness, I put myself in harm’s way as well as gave my opponent a change to put me in a position to submit me. How does this example play out in your life, business and hats you wear? Are you making sure that you are out of danger before you position yourself to win, succeed, or close a deal? Are you just shooting in hastily and putting yourself in harm’s way of potentially being submitted or placed in a bad position?

Another point to make is this: Many times in Jiu Jitsu, I end up in bad positions. They are not comfortable, they are not fun and they push my comfort zone to the max. Even being in some of the worst positions (having a 6’8”, 360 lb. opponent lying on your rib cage for instance) while grappling, one thing I remember is that it is just a bad position. Many times, if you ride it out while properly working through and defending the situation, you will not get submitted. However, I see many people submit only from being in a bad position. Are you in any bad positions right now? Does the pain, pressure and discomfort weigh on you like a 360lb. monster? Are you about ready to tap out, give up, throw in the towel and call it quits? Remember, you are just in a bad position. You are not being submitted. It may feel uncomfortable, it may feel tough, it may feel like you can’t breathe. Can you ride it out? Can you make just one small adjustment and put yourself in a better position? What are the little things you can do to get some breathing room, create some space and ultimately get into a better position?

I recall once struggling with the 360 pounds mentioned before. monster; I found myself on my back with his weight pressing against my ribs. I was able to breathe just enough to stay alive. He was stomping on me like a brick wall, but he was not coming near me to submit. He applied a lot of pressure, but I remained composed, made a few little tweaks, and refused to let him subjugate me. It would have been simpler to just feel the pressure again, get back up, and grapple someone else if I had wanted to tap. I declined to comply. I shifted into a slightly better position when I noticed my opponent making a tiny movement. I could now breathe easier. I gained a little more confidence. I advanced slightly. He got tired, he made another mistake and I capitalized again. I was able to squirm myself into a dominant position. A minute later, I submitted him.

Life, business, parenthood, being involved in the community, whatever the role may be can be a lot of pressure. There are just days when I want to flat out give up, call it quits and let my opponent win. But then I remember that I am just in a bad position. There is nothing worth “tapping” over at this point. So remember to relax, breathe, be patient, wait for an opportunity to advance little by little and you will see that opening to get back up again.